Pigeon Forge VS Gatlinburg: Which Town is Right for You
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Pigeon Forge vs Gatlinburg? Near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these neighboring Appalachian towns are major tourist draws. Only 7 miles apart, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are full of southern fun. Each is family-friendly, but they are very different places to stay.
Many first time travelers have a hard time deciding which town is a better fit. Having vacationed in both locations, in this article we will highlight key differences in each town’s vibe, layout, attractions, accommodations, dining, shopping, and nightlife. Hope you enjoy our comparison of Gatlinburg vs Pigeon Forge.
PIGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG TOURS
OVERVIEW PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is more spacious and spread-out than Gatlinburg. It has a bustling, wide-open feel. The city’s major attraction is the Appalachian-themed Dollywood amusement park. The Forge’s “strip-mall” architecture developed along the boulevard leading to Dollywood.
Although aesthetically Pigeon Forge lacks Gatlinburg’s small town charm, the city is packed with attractions and entertainment. In between arcades and go-kart tracks there are excellent dinner shows, concert venues, and family-friendly museums (think Titanic, WonderWorks, and the Hollywood Wax Museum).
Pigeon Forge has a lively, carnival vibe where families are never at a loss for things to do.
Gatlinburg
Minutes from the Sugarland entrance of the National Park, Gatlinburg celebrates its Smoky Mountain roots. The town sits in a valley. Two of its biggest attractions, Anakeesta and SkyPark, take you from the downtown area into the mountains via a chairlift.
Gatlinburg’s walkable main street, “the Parkway,” is packed with shops, moonshine distilleries, wineries, restaurants, and music venues. You can walk from one end of the Parkway to the other (it’s less than a mile). Cars cruise the divided road, and every day feels a bit like a parade.
Gatlinburg also has a lively vibe – but its more of a gala than a carnival.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOURS
LAYOUT & GETTING AROUND
Pigeon Forge
Located in eastern Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is laid out in one long 6-lane, 5-mile roadway punctuated by many traffic lights (aka “The Strip”). The Strip is lined with restaurants, stores, thrill rides and entertainment complexes. Dollywood and other larger attractions are located a short drive from the strip.
Getting Around: Attractions are spread out and a car is necessary. There is a trolley system that runs an established route.
Walkability: There are some sidewalks, but traffic is heavy and cross walks are sparse.
Parking: Ample free parking at strip malls, restaurants, and attractions.
Traffic: During busy times (weekends, holidays, festivals, summer, and peak foliage), traffic can drop to a standstill with the heaviest traffic between 10am and 7pm.
Gatlinburg
The Gatlinburg Parkway is a four-lane divided road. The downtown action heats up between the Ole Red Restaurant and the Sugarlands Distilling Company – about a .5 mile walk. In between these landmarks, restaurants and attractions are packed into a few blocks bordered by the Smoky Mountains and the Little Pigeon River.
Getting Around: Some visitors will drive downtown and park. Many visitors take advantage of a trolley system that runs between the Parkway and many Gatlinburg resorts and attractions. (We used this system and found it clean, efficient, comfortable, and fun.)
Walkability: Highly walkable downtown area.
Parking: Paid parking available in private lots in the blocks behind the Parkway.
Traffic: During busy times (weekends, holidays, festivals, summer, and peak foliage), traffic can drop to a standstill with the heaviest traffic between 10am and 7pm.
GATLINBURG & PIGEON FORGE ATTRACTIONS
ATTRACTIONS IN PIGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge wins with the most attractions. It feels as though the city exists to show them off. Dollywood with its huge roller coasters, water park, and musical entertainment is a huge draw – but not the only one.
There are museum-type attractions (Titanic, WonderWorks, Magiquest), dinner shows (see “Dining” below), and tons of thrill rides (mountain coasters, go-karts, zip lines, mini-golf). The Island at Pigeon Forge is another family-friendly entertainment area with rides, arcades, a rope course, and more.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has less attractions, but its nature-based offerings are great family fare. There is Anakeesta Mountaintop Park, the Gatlinburg SkyPark, Ober Mountain, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Space Needle. In addition, Gatlinburg has its share of arcades, fun parks, rope courses, and mountain coasters.
TRUSTED TRAVEL RESOURCES
ACCOMMODATIONS IN GATLINBURG AND PIGEON FORGE
On the outskirts of town, both locales offer a variety of accommodations ranging from cozy cabins to luxury resorts. In each area’s downtown area:
Pigeon Forge
Has an abundance of chain family- and pet-friendly motels and hotels.
Gatlinburg
In the blocks behind the Parkway, Gatlinburg has a number of in-town resorts. These lodgings have the advantage of providing free parking and a short walk into town.
Consider these well-reviewed Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg hotels:
SHOPPING PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG
Pigeon Forge
You can do some serious shopping in Pigeon Forge. The city has a number of premium shopping destinations including the Mountain Mile Shops, Tanger Outlets (actually in Sevierville), the Island at Pigeon Forge, and the Historic Old Mill. These complexes offer brand name, boutique, and specialty goods – and free parking.
On the Pigeon Forge strip find more shopping between attractions. Look for the Christmas Place (largest Christmas store in the south); Smoky Mountain Knife Shop (largest knife store in the world); Stage West (western wear and boots); and the Three Bears General Store.
Gatlinburg
Downtown Gatlinburg is a smorgasbord of shops with a southern flair. There are kitschy souvenir shops and artist galleries offering one-of-a-kind treasures. Town is full of specialty food shops (candy, wine, whiskey, and bakeries). Around mid-town, don’t miss “The Village,” a pedestrianized shopping mall with local and luxury crafts and wares.
To shop outside of town, Gatlinburg publishes a free map featuring the Great Smoky “Arts & Carfts Route.” Along the path, visit artisan studios producing baskets, candles, pottery, jewelry, woodcarvings, watercolors, and more.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG DINING
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge has lots of family-style dining. Expect to find many chain restaurants, pancake houses, and establishments with extensive kid menus. Restaurants like Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen are popular here.
Pigeon Forge is also famous for its themed dinner shows. Some long-term favorites include:
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud: Comedy, music, stunts, dancing, and dinner
Dolly Parton Stampede: 4-course meal with music and horse show
Pirates Voyage Dinner Show: Feast with skits, competitions, music, and magic
Paula Dean Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show: Lumberjack competition with buffet
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, too, has a surplus of pancake houses and chicken joints. However, here visitors will likewise find many fine dining and “date night” options. There are several good steak houses and restaurants with 5-star views. On the Parkway, check-out one of the distilleries or wineries that offer food along with beverage tastings.
For themed-dining in Gatlinburg, drop-in to Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Restaurant and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop bar where live country music accompanies your meal.
THINGS TO DO IN THE SMOKIES
PIGEON FORGE VS GATLINBURG NIGHT LIFE
Pigeon Forge
Dinner shows, musical shows (Grand American Opry, Country Tonight), and comedy shows (Comedy Barn, Red Skelton Theater) are major night time draws in Pigeon Forge.
Most other nightlife centers around the city’s entertainment complexes like Dollywood and the Island at Pigeon Forge where fireworks, music, food, and drink are available in pedestrian friendly zones. In addition, there are also saloons and breweries scattered along the strip.
Gatlinburg
Most of the nightlife in Gatlinburg happens along the Parkway. At opposite end of the avenue, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Restaurant and Jason Aldean’s Rooftop Bar offer live country music. In between, visitors will find live music at a number of pubs, nightclubs, and saloons. Gatlinburg shines after dark.
SUMMARY
Stay in Pigeon Forge if the main focus of your trip is Dollywood. Also, consider staying in Pigeon Forge if your family is into thrill rides, entertaining museums, outlet shopping, and fun family-style dinner shows.
Choose Gatlinburg as your base if you enjoy a small town vibe, and like to park the car and wander. Or, if you enjoy discovering new wine and whiskeys, and shopping for arts and crafts. Also, stay in Gatlinburg if you enjoy theme parks that are nature based.
Enjoy the southern cooking and the blue-grey Smoky Mountains mist, Laura and Randy
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